The document provides an integrated marketing plan for the City of McAllen. It begins with an analysis of McAllen's economy, noting a long-term decline. It then defines McAllen's product as creating a desirable place to live, work and do business. A SWOT analysis identifies strengths like low costs but also weaknesses such as lack of transportation infrastructure. The plan positions McAllen as having more retail, activities and opportunities than other Valley cities. It outlines communication strategies targeting various demographics and promoting the brand of "McAllen has MORE." The multi-phase launch strategy includes advertising, public relations and promotions through various media. Success will be measured by increased tax receipts, tourism and positive resident feedback.

1. City of McAllen Integrated Marketing Plan Chelse Benham Amparo Moran

2. Market Summary Market: past, present, & future There has been a long-term decline trend in the McAllen Economic Index signaling the ongoing contraction in the McAllen metro area general economy as defined by a sustained decline in overall economic activity . That decline began some 18 months ago, and over that period of time, the McAllen Economic Index has fallen by 10.6%, and has declined for 17 of those 18 months. - McAllen Economic Chamber Profile, 2008

3. Product Definition City of McAllen is currently undergoing a branding campaign To create a place where people will want to live, shop, and do business

4. Product Definition If a city is to be considered a brand, it must start with a brand’s most important characteristics; its fundamental properties. This means that a good city must have the following: Offer attractive employment. Not be unduly expensive in relation to wages. Provide good and affordable housing. Have reasonable public transportation. Have good schools and recreational/cultural attractions. Have a reasonable climate. “ The Branding of Cities” by Julia Pfefferkorn, Syracuse University

5. Competition SWOT Analysis Strengths Low cost of living Entrepreneurial Opportunity Quality Schools Superior Retail Performances Strong Real Estate Market Young workforce

6. Competition SWOT Analysis Weaknesses Transportation Infrastructure lacking Area is remote and cut off from larger cities Not enough cultural attractions enticing outside businesses to relocate Educational attainment and average income level low of the residents

7. Competition SWOT Analysis Opportunities Young entrepreneurial population highly motivated to stay in the area Regional growth strong - McAllen is a trendsetter I-69/1TC Infrastructure Texas Corridor road &rail development project will help the movement of people and goods, and the relocation efforts

8. Competition SWOT Analysis Threats Anti-border economy sentiment and legislation -recent trend of border security, immigration reform, reports of drug related violence and a lack of understanding of the region by elected officials Delays in Transportation infrastructure Development Brain Drain - limited influx of higher paying jobs for educated workers and the lack of satisfying employment will mean more of the educated youth will move away

9. Positioning Positioning of the City of McAllen It is an undisputed fact that McAllen is the retail center of South Texas and Northern Mexico, drawing from a consumer base of over 10 million people within a 200-mile radius. In the bi-national metropolitan area, McAllen retailers serve an immediate market population of 1.8 million. - McAllen Chamber Economic Profile, 2008 McAllen has MORE retail stores, national chain restaurants, city festivals and activities, cultural arts, professional sports teams, and live music venues than any other city in the Valley. McAllen has affordable cost of living and mild weather. McAllen is near the Mexico border where medical services and less expensive pharmaceutical prescription medications are available.

10. Communication Strategies Target demographics for McAllen Branding Strategy are: Foreign Nationals - shoppers and businesses Corporations who need large employee base with medium to low education i.e.. Call centers, factories Businesses - Mom & Pop shops, Young Entrepreneurs Winter Texans Families - Residents Tourists Highly Educated Professionals - Medical Health Specialist, Lawyers, Bankers, Contractors, Builders

11. Communication Strategies Creating a distinctive brand that captures the spirit of a city must be able to inspire - the travelers, the industry, and the general populace itself. Cities should brand themselves in ways that are believable to the residents. “ Branding of Cities” Julia Pfefferkorn

12. Communication Strategies Brand - City of McAllen Brand association - McAllen has MORE of everything - This is believable! It is the hub of activity in the Valley Offers fulfillment, opportunities, comfortable lifestyle, less hectic pace, growth & expansion Slogan - McAllen = M.O.R.E. M cAllen, O pportunities R eady to be E xperienced

14. Launch Strategies Promotion budget Phase 1 - allocate 50% of promotion budget to unveiling the image and media blitz (TV & Webisodes, Print, Billboards, Web content, and social media presence) Phase 2 - allocate 25% of the budget to support on-going promotion over the next year Phase 3 - allocate 25% of the budget to data measurements of the campaign Phase 1 Phase 3 Phase 2 Phase 1 Phase 2 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Sep Oct Nov Dec

15. Public Relations Strategy & Execution Develop a state-wide, year-long (print, online and television) multi-media advertising, marketing and public/media relations campaign. PR strategies - Have signage at all city events, media releases, website exposure - link to other websites cross-promote, Google AdSense & AdWords programs PR plan highlights, send one message in all materials McAllen = M.O.R.E. M cAllen, O pportunities R eady to be E xperienced

16. Advertising Print Strategy advertise in In AARP and RV magazines for Winter Texans, In Forbes , USA Today , Money , Texas Monthly for business professionals and tourist In El Norte Mexico newspaper and Selecciones, Reader’s Digest Hispanic version, during peak shopping times

17. Advertising Print and Web Strategy - advertise Buy a Web banner on El Norte Newspaper website Buy billboards along the highway to Monterey Advertise Shopping Tour Packages with bus lines that include transportation, hotel, shuttles to shopping areas and discounts to restaurants Arrange shuttle services at the border crossing in Reynosa (Note: Foreign Nationals shop stores that are bilingual and accept the peso - Tucson, AZ study) Encourage stores to cater to the Mexican Nationals through customer service, price and if possible accepting pesos Extravagantly decorate La Plaza Mall to create a more festive atmosphere - like an fantasy attraction Arrange agreement with Volaris Mexico airlines to establish shopping tour packages from other Mexico cities

18. Advertising Create different TV ads for cable channels to promote McAllen to segment populations such as: CNN, MNBC promoting business growth for the business person The History Channel, Travel Channel, QVC for the tourist, retiree and Winter Texan - Show the City as balmy and tropical with a low cost of living (near Mexico for lower cost in medical services) Hispanic television stations Multimedios - Televisa in Monterey for the foreign national shopper Lifetime, Oxygen, and HGTV for female demographic promoting McAllen as a premiere shopping destination MTV, VHI, HBO promote night life, concerts and sporting events , Art Walk to younger people ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox for festivals and concerts to families To do just one ad or a couple is not recommended - each ad must be different and fitting to the target

19. Advertising Specialize TV ads: Promote McAllen in the cities of San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Dallas - Show McAllen as: festive, exotic and resort like with Mexico border, Hispanic cuisine and music, beach access, and inexpensive. These cities DO NOT have: International Border Palm trees, Citrus groves Beach nearby (landlocked) Distinctly festive atmosphere found in the Hispanic culture

20. Other Promotion Direct marketing to Foreign Nationals Deliver direct-mail bargain bag filled with money saving coupons and promotional fliers, bargain booklets, and information and resources about participating sponsors left at doors in strategic neighborhoods in Monterey and Reynosa Deliver similar bargain bags to strategic neighborhoods in McAllen and surrounding cities

21. Other Promotion The M.O.R.E. Image Create Guerilla Marketing - Use the already established “M” create an artfully decorated “M” placed throughout the city - these are sponsored by businesses and organizations - example is the Bear in Knoxville, TN strategically placed around an inner city walking shopping route

22. Other Promotion The M.O.R.E. Image M.O.R.E. Guerilla Marketing - Use a large, powerful light to shine a large “M” into the sky during weekends or special events like the Batman signal - into the air and on buildings at Art Walk

23. Other Promotion Social Media Use Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Twitter, Blogs to distribute information about city events, news and festivals to the public Cross promote by linking with other city websites, partnering with local businesses, use Adwords to tag web searches to McAllen

24. Other Promotion M.O.R.E. Ideas Promote McAllen at other birding festivals around the country and in other countries - U.K., Spain, South America Promote McAllen at conventions in the colder areas North East and Mid West Create new festivals, especially a Music Festival that capitalizes on Tejano, Salsa, Merengue, Reggeton, Folklorico music, BUT includes a wide range of music that can be held at venues throughout the city (like Austin) Create a major marathon maybe combine both music and running for a “Rock-A-Thon” (San Antonio) Embrace the “creative class” - work closely with the idea worker of creative class, people in science, engineering, architecture, education, art, music, and entertainment whose function it is to create new ideas and innovations - Creative Incubator or Creative think Tank

25. Other Promotion M.O.R.E. Ideas Continue to expand current festivals held in the city and the Art district Decorate extravagantly throughout the city during Christmas - This is the time when Mexicans and Americans enjoy the decorations found throughout neighborhoods - An enormous Christmas tree at the McAllen park or Convention Center, Tour of Homes highly decorated to create a “festive feeling” for the city Form a partnership to work with surrounding cities to create a Green Belt and Regional Hike & Bike Trail that connects the cities together - Promote the McAllen as a “Green” city Promote the key areas unique to McAllen such as: #1 location in the nation for birding ($23 Billion industry) Located near one of the Top 10 beaches in the country (Discovery Channel) Fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country Low unemployment, stable housing market Mild climate year around Located at a international border of Mexico

26. Other Promotion M.O.R.E. Ideas Business related Tax Incentives for new businesses moving into the area Send a McAllen Business Climate portfolio that speaks about large bilingual workforce, city incentives, low cost of living, etc. to factories, call centers, warehousing facilities in the U.S. Attract a national home builder to the region - to build upscale homes for less to attract wealthier clients and keep real estate market thriving Encourage Young Entrepreneurs to stay in the region - create a virtual business center on city’s website with downloadable tools for business with news, templates, copies of business plans, create workshops on business networking, bid processes, and incentive program that helps first time business owners succeed. Remember: M cAllen, O pportunities R eady to be E xperienced

27. Success Metrics First year goals Create and promote a strong city brand that increases sales, business growth, tourism and resident loyalty for McAllen. Collect data in such ways as: tax receipts, web traffic, count messages using social media, poll at border crossing, count license plates at shopping malls, work with businesses to get zip codes from customers Do research on cities that are similar to McAllen and what they have done to brand their cities - Tucson, AZ - “Branding of Cities” by Julia Pfefferkorn at Syracuse University Measures of success of branding if there is an: Increase in tax receipts Increase in attendance to festivals, Broadway in McAllen Increase in tourist count for birding, shopping, “Heads in Beds” Increase in “word-of-mouth” promotion Feedback from residents (positive and negative)

28. Thank You Questions?